Carton



July 26, 1960 A. F. STAGMEIER CARTON Filed April 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FLG. l.

INVENTOR Axmua F. STAGMEIER BY W 2% )LQ ATTORNEYS July 26, 1960 A. F. STAGMEIER CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1957 INVENTOR ARTHUR E SIAGMEIER.,

ATTORNEZS United States Patent CARTON Arthur F. Stagmeier, New York, N.Y., assignor to General Foods Corporation, White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 16, 1957, Ser. No. 653,088 6 Claims. (Cl. 22917) This invention relates to an improved easy-opening and reclosable carton designed primarily to contain comminuted foodstuffs, either in bulk or in a water-proof inner container.

' The invention relates more particularly to cartons of the type in which, upon the breaking away of a portion of the top flap, a pouring opening will be exposed through which the desired amount of the contents may be poured or otherwise removed from the carton, and resides in improvements of the top flap structure such that the carton may be readily opened and quickly and positively reclosed after the desired quantity of the contents has been removed. The novel flap structure is so designed as to body, is defined in the carton blank by two cuts 33, ex-

provide a carton having good resistance to moisture penetration, one which will close positively to prevent escape of the contents of the carton after opening thereof, and

yet one which opens quickly and easily without ragged v tearing of the carton material.

It is therefore a primary object of thisinvention to provide an improved carton structure which is readily openable for the removal of the desired quantity of the contents and which may be readily reclosed after such removal.

It is a further object of this invention to evolve such a structure which is simple and eflicient and in which the carton may be opened without the use of any tools except the fingers.

-9 of the carton body and is the bottom end and side flaps 16, 17, 18 and 19. These flaps are preferably rectangular in shape and of the same extent beyond the fold line 15 and are separated by three cuts 20, 21 and 22, which are respectively in extension of fold lines 11, 12 and 13.

The easy-opening and reclosure structure is formed by the novel configuration of the top end and side flaps, which fold on lines defined by horizontal scoreline 23 extending across the blank adjacent its upper edge. The

top end and side flaps are designated end flap 24, outer side flap 25, end flap 26, and inner side flap 27.

End flap 24, which is preferably rectangular in shape, is separated from outer side flap 25 by a vertical cut 28 which extends upwardly from vertical fold line 11 in the body of the blank.

Side flap 25, which extends upwardly from side panel 7 of the carton body, is provided adjacent one end with a vertical weakened line 29 which defines a rectangular end segment 30 thereof which is cut away along its outer edge to provide pull tab 31 at its center. Preferably short cuts 32 are provided at the corners where the tab 31 joins the outer edge of the segment 30, these cuts extending into the tab in alignment with said outer edge to facilitate folding the tab relative to the segment as hereinafter described.

End flap 26, in extension of end panel 8 of the carton tensions of vertical score lines 12 body. End flap 26 is of reduced height for a purpose hereinafter to be discussed at more length.

Inner side flap 27 extends upwardly from side panel same height as outer and 13 of the carton side flap 25. That end of the side flap 27 which is adthrough at its lower edge 35 for It is another object of this invention to evolve such a If? carton which is substantially moisture-resistant, after opening and reclosure, and in which the reclosure structure will prevent the escape of any of the contents thereof.

Other and further objects of this invention apparent as this specification proceeds.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the novel blank from which the carton is formed;

will become panel 6, to provide Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper or top portion of the carton with the top to scaling;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carton top in fully sealed condition;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the carton top with the end closure structure in fully opened condition; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carton top reclosed after opening.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows the novel blank from which the carton is formed, comprising end panels 6 and 8 and side panels 7 and 9. As shown, end panels 6 and 8 and side panels 7 and 9 are rectangular 'in shape, end and side panels being of the same dimensions, respectively. Extending outwardly from side panel 9 is end flap 10 which is utilized in the basic formation of the carton, as will hereinafter be discussed in more detail. The carton blankis preferably vertically scored in fold lines 11, 12, 13 and 14 to define the aforesaid end and side panels and is horizontallyscored adjacent its lower edge by score line -15 which provides fold lines for flaps partly closed prior jacent end flap 26 is provided along its upper edge with a weakened segment 34 which preferably is fully cut its complete width and is partially cut away at both of its lateral edges 36 and 37 so as to be readily severable from the body of side flap 27 by the application of a minimum of upward pull. Reclosure slit 38 is provided in side flap 27 centered below removable segment 34 thereof, for a purpose hereinafter to be discussed in more detail.

The manner of formation of the carton is as follows: The carton blank is first folded along vertical fold lines 11, 12, 13 and 14 into rectangular form with the outer surface of end flap 10 glued to the inner surface of end the basic rectangular configuration for the carton body. Top end flaps 24 and 26 are then folded inwardly into horizontal'position, top side flap 27 is folded inwardly thereover (Fig. 2), and the inner surface of top side flap 25 is then glued against the outer surface of side flap 27 to complete the top of the carton (Fig. 3). With the carton thus preliminarily formed, with the bottom side and end flaps still in vertical position and the bottom end of the carton open, the carton is inverted, the contents of the carton are inserted either in bulk or in a water vapor resistant inner container, if desired, and the carton is ready for bottom closure.

In closing bottom, end flaps 16 and 18 are first folded downwardly into horizontal position over the contents. One side fiap 17 is then folded downwardly into horizontal position over end flaps 16 and 18. The other side flap 19 is then folded downwardly and glued to the outer surface of side flap 17, completing the sealing of the carton.

With the carton top completely sealed, as aforesaid,

1 when it is first desired to open the carton top to remove then breaks segment 30 clear of the carton top along weakened line 29 of outer side flap 25 and in coming loose segment 30 pulls away with it the rectangular weakened section 34 of inner side flap 27, leaving rectangular opening 39 in inner side flap 27 of the carton top, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted that segment 30 of outer side flap 25 is of considerably greater width and height than the weakened breakaway section 34 and extends outwardly beyond all edges of the breakaway section.

However, only the portion of the segment which overlies the breakaway section 34 is glued, as indicated in Fig. 1. In other words, the marginal portions of segment 30 and the tab 31 which overlie the flap 27 outside the breakaway section 34 are free to be lifted to the position shown in Fig. 4 with a minimum of effort, whereas the glued connection of the segment 30 with the breakaway section 34 insures that the latter will be torn out. Meanwhile the end margin of fiap 27 is held securely down by gluing to the top of end flap 26 (i.e., to the reverse side of flap 26 as seen in Fig. 1).

Preferably the flap 26 extends close to the edge 36 of the opening 39 (Fig. 4), thus providing an integral double thickness of material and stiflening the edge 36 so that the section 34 can be torn away cleanly to leave a neat, smooth edge of the opening. A similar edge 35 is secured by cutting through the material of the flap 27 along this line as previously stated. The other edge 37 of the opening is located close to the tear line 29 beyond which fiaps 25 and 27 are glued together, thus both stifiening the edge 37 for tearing away the section 34 and stiffening the edge 29 for tearing away the segment 30. These arrangements facilitate easy opening and at the same time make for neat, clean tea-r lines.

With the carton top in fully open condition, as shown in Fig. 4, the desired quantity of the contents may be removed through rectangular opening 39 and the carton may then be reclosed, as shown in Fig. 5, by folding segment 30 downwardly into horizontal position against the carton top. Breakaway section 34 will fit neatly and tightly within rectangular opening 39 in View of the true and exact tear lines formed as already described, this fit aiding to prevent escape of the contents. Tab 31 is then bent reversely from the position shown in Fig. 4 and is inserted in slit 38 to complete the reclosure of the carton top as shown in Fig. 5, the cuts 32 providing a locking effect. Thus the breakaway section 34 is held securely in opening 39, and as the margins of the segment 30 overlie the edges of the opening, the reclosure is substantially moisture-vapor resistant and effectively prevents the escape of the contents of the package. The carton may obviously be reopened and reclosed as many times as desired.

The novel carton structure disclosed and described herein is of simplified and highly improved construction and an easy opening, reclosure structure is evolved which may be readily opened by the fingers and which may readily be reclosed to provide a moisture-proof reclosure for the carton top.

The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. The location of the opening and reclosure structure in the carton top may be varied as desired and the dimensions 'of the various elements thereof may also be varied.

This specification is by -way of illustration of one embodiment of the invention only. Attention is directed to the appended claims for a definition of its scope.

What is claimed is:

l. A carton having side and end wall panels, extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for said carton, said top closing flaps including side and end flaps, the inner of said side flaps having a weakened breakaway section and a slit adjacent thereto, the outer side flap provided with a segment defined therein by a weakened line extending across the side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture with said side panel, a pull tab at the outer edge of said segment, said weakened section of said inner side flap being disposed under and within said segment of said outer side flap when the carton is closed and said segment breaking away from said outer side flap on an upward pull of said .pulLtab, said weakened section breaking away from said inner side flap with said lifted segment, reclosure being accomplished by inserting said tab in said slit.

2. A carton as defined in claim 1, wherein said segment and said inner side flap are glued together within the area of said breakaway section only, the remainder of said outer side flap beyond said weakened line being glued to said inner side flap.

3. A carton having side and end wall panels, extensions on said panels forming top closing side and end flaps for said carton, the inner of said side flaps provided with a'weakened break-away section and a slit adjacent said weakened section, the outer side flap provided with a segment defined therein by a weakened line extending across said outer side fiap from its free edge and to its folded juncture with said side panel, said segment being ofless width than the remainder of the side flap and provided with a tab on its free edge, said weakened section of said inner side flap lying under said segment of said outer side flap with said slit under said tab when said carton is sealed, said segment breaking away from said outer side flap on .an upward pull on said tab and said underlying weakened section breaking away from said inner side flap with said lifted segment, reclosure being accomplished by folding said segment of said outer side flap downwardly and inserting said tab in said slit.

4. A carton having side and end wall panels, extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for said carton, said top closing flaps including side and end flaps, one of said side flaps including a rectangular weakened breakaway portion adjacent one of its ends and a slit adjacent said weakened portion thereof, an end flap adjacent said side flap, and of size and shape to terminate short of overlapping said weakened section but close to one edge thereof when the carton is closed, an outer side flap including a rectangular inner segment at one of its ends defined therein by a weakened line extending across the said flap from its free edge to the fold line of said flap and panel, said weakened line being close to the opposite edge of said weakened section, a pull tab on the outer edge of said rectangular segment, whereby said carton may be closed by folding said inner and outer side flaps over said end flap, an upward pull on said pull tab breaking away said rectangular segment from said outer side flap and therewith said weakened portion from said inner side flap, said carton being reclosable by folding said rectangular segment downwardly and pushing said pull tab into the slit in said inner side fiap.

5. A carton having side and end wall panels provided with extensions forming the top closing flaps, including side end flaps, an inner side flap provided with a weakened section adjacent to one of its ends and extending inwardly from its outer edge and a slit between said section and the folded juncture of said inner side flap with its side wall panel, a shortened end flapat said one end, an outer side 'fiap having segment at said one end of the carton which is defined by a transverse weakened line extending across said outer side flap, the outer edge of said segment being cut back and having a tab thereon, an end flap at the other end of said carton, the weakened section of said inner side flap underlying said segment and said slit underlying said tab when said carton is closed, an upward pull on said tab ripping away said segment of said outer side flap along said weakened line and said weakened marginal section of said inner flap whereby said carton is opened, reclosure being accomplished by replacing said outer segment and inserting said tab in said slit in said inner side flap.

.6. A carton as defined in claim 5, the edge of said shortened end flap terminating short of but adjacent the edge of said weakened section and said shortened end flap and inner side flap being glued together, the overlapping surfaces of said inner and outer side flaps between said weakened line and said other end of the carton being glued together, said segment being glued to said inner side flap within the area of said weakened section only.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Buchman Mar. 3, 1914 Hahn Mar. 17, 1942 Guyer June 20, 1944 Guyer Dec. 5, 1944 Ball May 17, 1949 Kleiber Aug. 7, 1956 

